A Framework for Examining the Interface between Operations and Information Systems: Implications for Research in the New Millennium*

Even though much research has been published in operations and information systems, both functional areas find their roots in other disciplines. While operations management evolved from operations research in the 1960s, the field of information systems is of more recent vintage and traces its original roots to computer science. Both disciplines now naturally have come closer together as information and process-technology-based changes force manufacturing firms to become more efficient and customer focused. Market and technology-driven e-commerce initiatives that are likely to dominate business strategies in the future cannot be successfully achieved without a successful integration of operations and information systems. In this paper, we present a unifying framework that can be used to better understand the management of the functional interface between operations and information systems. We also categorize and highlight the contributions of the articles that appear in this special research focus issue. Finally, research directions that emerge from our understanding of this interface are outlined in an effort to stimulate further thinking and research that can advance our knowledge of this interface area.     

Information-Processing Alternatives for Coping with Manufacturing Environment Complexity

Investment in information systems and technology is often justified as a necessary strategy for coping with the increased complexity and information needs of today/s manufacturing environments. However, the world class manufacturing paradigm suggests that increased complexity is not always necessary to meet the needs of markets and customers. Galbraith/s (1973, 1977) seminal information-processing model is applied to a manufacturing environment, supported by the world class manufacturing paradigm, to test the role of various information-processing alternatives for coping with increased environmental complexity. Moderated regression and multiple discriminant analysis are used to test hypotheses in a sample of 164 manufacturing plants. Environmental complexity was found to be related to manufacturing performance for each of the five dependent variables. This relationship was moderated by at least one information-processing alternative for each dependent variable, including self-contained tasks, lateral relations, and environmental management strategies for reducing manufacturing, supplier, and goal diversity. Investments in information systems and reduction of labor and customer diversity did not moderate this relationship. Practices that were found to be particularly effective in moderating this relationship included the use of multifunctional employees, communication of manufacturing strategy, coordination of decision making, product design simplicity, reduction of parts counts, supervisory interaction facilitation, recruiting and selection for flexible employees, JIT practices, blanket purchase orders, and strong customer relationships.     

Integration Between Business Planning and Information Systems Planning: Validating a Stage Hypothesis

This paper proposes and empirically validates a stages of growth model for the evolution of Information Systems Planning (ISP). A questionnaire survey of senior IS executives is used to gather information pertaining to the stages of growth model, which includes measurement of the nature and level of integration between business planning (BP) and ISP. The del test is used to validate empirically benchmark variables for each stage of BP-ISP integration. The results support the stages of growth model of BP-ISP integration and the benchmark variables are generally found to be successful in predicting the stage of integration.     

The Role of Innovation Characteristics and Perceived Voluntariness in the Acceptance of Information Technologies

The often paradoxical relationship between investment in information technology and gains in productivity has recently been attributed to a lack of user acceptance of information technology innovations. Diverse streams of research have attempted to explain and predict user acceptance of new information technologies. A common theme underlying these various research streams is the inclusion of the perceived characteristics of an innovation as key independent variables. Furthermore, prior research has utilized different outcomes to represent user acceptance behavior. In this paper we focus on individual's perceptions about the characteristics of the target technology as explanatory and predictive variables for acceptance behavior, and present an empirical study examining the effects of these perceptions on two frequently used outcomes in the context of the innovation represented by the World Wide Web. The two outcomes examined are initial use of an innovation and intentions to continue such use in the future, that is, to routinize technology use. Two research questions motivated and guided the study. First, are the perceptions that predict initial use the same as those that predict future use intentions? Our results confirm, as hypothesized by prior research, that innovation characteristics do explain acceptance behavior. The results further reveal that the specific characteristics that are relevant for each acceptance outcome are different. The second research question asks if perceived voluntariness plays a role in technology acceptance. Results show that external pressure has an impact on adopters' acceptance behavior. Theoretical and practical implications that follow are presented.     

Media Appropriateness: Effects of Experience on Communication Media Choice

Organizations are faced with a myriad of emerging advanced information technologies. Management may be anxious about the numerous choices while simultaneously yearning for instant realization of benefits promised by the adopted technologies. Management should also be aware that the eventual institutional use of these technologies is dependent upon the learning and training opportunities presented to individuals. Individual approval or established perceptions toward technology appropriateness are mostly idiosyncratic and contingent upon numerous factors such as task goals or prior technology experience. This paper examines the effect of learning experiences with nine communication media, based on perception changes of media appropriateness. Two hundred and ninety-five MBA students participated in a longitudinal quasi-experimental study. Results indicate that traditionally rich media such as face-to-face, group meetings, and telephone were consistently perceived to be more appropriate than emerging new media over time. However, an individual's specific experience with communication media affects perceptions of media appropriateness, and this is particularly evident in computer-based communications. In addition, changes in perception of media appropriateness were directly related to the participants' learning experience and were particularly salient with new media. Furthermore, increased use of some media was found to be associated with decreased use of other media. This study demonstrates that deliberate technology-use mediation can be an effective management mechanism to facilitate an individual's ability to gain experience in the use of new technologies. This paper also suggests that an individual's media experiences and temporal factors are two important but underemphasized factors in understanding and studying technology choice and use.     

Topics on Dynamic Panel Data Models with Random Effects Using Semi-Parametric Bayesian Approach

A common assumption in fitting panel data models is normality of stochastic subject effects. This can be extremely restrictive, making vague most potential features of true distributions. The objective of this article is to propose a modeling strategy, from a semi-parametric Bayesian perspective, to specify a flexible distribution for the random effects in dynamic panel data models. This is addressed here by assuming the Dirichlet process mixture model to introduce Dirichlet process prior for the random-effects distribution. We address the role of initial conditions in dynamic processes, emphasizing on joint modeling of start-up and subsequent responses. We adopt Gibbs sampling techniques to approximate posterior estimates. These important topics are illustrated by a simulation study and also by testing hypothetical models in two empirical contexts drawn from economic studies. We use modified versions of information criteria to compare the fitted models.     

基于CDM模型的信息服务业和制造业创新过程比较

海淀科技园是全国高技术产业和技术创新的中心,是中央政府追求建设的技术创新资源转化成产业创新能力的全国示范区,其中信息服务业是其龙头产业。本文在CDM的分析框架下,基于海淀科技园企业年报的微观数据,对信息服务业创新过程与制造业进行比较研究, 挖掘促进两个产业创新的关键要素,总结制造业和信息服务业内在的创新机理,并为两个产业的创新政策制定提供有效参考。研究发现：在信息服务业中新产品产出倾向与企业规模呈倒U型关系,而制造业中创新规模效益显著;信息服务业的知识密集特征显著,而制造业并不显著;信息服务业中国有企业从创新投入到创新产出的转化效率低下,而制造业中国有企业在创新投入阶段就表现出创新动力不足的问题。     

高校大学生信息导航服务实践与启示——以佛山科学技术学院为例

阐述大学生信息导航队伍成立的背景、作用和意义,分析该队伍开展信息导航服务的实践和效应。指出开展学生信息导航服务,有利于发挥大学生的信息技术优势,是创新与发展地方院校信息素质教育的重要举措。     

20世纪30年代“毕业即失业”与政府应对措施述评

“毕业即失业”是20世纪30年代民国大学生不得不面对的问题,高校毕业生发起职业运动呼吁政府解决.虽然民国政府采取了积极的应对措施,取得一定成效,但无论是1934年成立的全国学术人员工作咨询处和各高校设立的职业介绍所,还是1936年开办的专科以上学校毕业生就业训导班都未能从根本上解决高校毕业生失业问题.高校毕业生就业难的现实动摇了人们对高等教育的信念,读书无用论的寒流泛起.